Michigan State University’s women’s soccer program has placed three athletes on the 2026 NCAA Division I Hermann Trophy Watch List, marking the first time the Spartans have had three players selected for the prestigious award.
The watch list, which includes only 63 Division I women’s soccer players, recognizes the nation’s top collegiate talent. The three Spartans — Kennedy Bell, Emerson Sargeant and Kayla Briggs — join Laura Heyboer, who previously earned multiple appearances on the list.
The Hermann Trophy, established in 1967, is the most coveted award in collegiate soccer, honoring the top male and female players each season.
Bell and Briggs were named Second Team United Soccer Coaches All‑America in 2025, while Sargeant earned All‑North Region honors. All three have also collected All‑Big Ten, All‑Region and All‑America accolades, reflecting their standout performances.
The trio of upperclassmen represents a historic milestone for the program, as Michigan State, along with Colorado, Memphis, Notre Dame and Wisconsin, each have three players on the watch list, trailing only Duke, which leads with four selections.
The Spartans are scheduled to meet Colorado in a rematch of their 2025 NCAA Sweet 16 encounter at DeMartin Stadium, and they will travel to face Notre Dame on September 4, 2026, adding further excitement to the upcoming season.
A Historic Milestone
Laura Heyboer remains the only other Spartan to appear on the watch list multiple times, having been listed in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
This achievement underscores the program’s status among the most decorated squads in the Big Ten.
With a schedule that includes high‑profile matchups, the Spartans aim to translate individual recognition into collective success on the national stage.